Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.

2 By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.

When [the people of] a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another; but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.

3 A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

A poor person who oppresses [other] poor [people] is [like] [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that [destroys the crops], with the result that there is no food [for people to eat].

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.

Those who reject/disobey [God’s] laws always speak well of wicked [people]; but those who obey [God’s] laws [always] oppose what wicked people do.

5 Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.

Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.

It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.

7 Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.

Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM]; parents whose children associate with those who (carouse/go to wild parties) are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU], their money will [eventually] go to someone who does kind things for the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.

Those who cause honest/good [people] to do what is evil will fall into their own pits/traps, but good things will happen to those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

[Many] rich people think that they are wise, but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.

When righteous/good [people] (succeed/win [elections]), everyone (celebrates/is happy); but when wicked [people win], everyone hides [because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do].

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.

Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper, but [God] acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.

14 Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.

[God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.

15 A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Wicked people who [mistreat] poor people whom they rule are [as dangerous to them as] [SIM] a lion roaring [at them] or a bear springing up [to attack them].

16 The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.

Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress [the people they rule], but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving [people] will live (OR, rule) for a long time.

17 A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.

Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.

18 Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].

Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.

19 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.

Farmers who work [hard] in their fields will [produce good crops and always] have plenty of food [to eat], but those who spend all their time (on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone) will become very poor.

20 A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

[God] will greatly bless those who (are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do), but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.

21 To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.

It is not good [for judges] to decide matters unfairly/unjustly, but [some] people will do what is wrong [even] if they receive [only] a very small bribe [HYP] [for doing it].

22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who [say nice things to others merely] to (flatter them/cause them to feel good).

24 Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.

25 He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.

Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].

26 He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

When wicked [people] become rulers, people hide [because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do]; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous [people will] become the rulers.